"Humorous writing, honesty and behind-the-scene insights make this book a hit. The Best Fooling is about blazing a path professionally and personally in Canadian theatre in the freewheeling and expansive 1960s and 1970s. What makes this book fun to read is Bawtree’s gift for humorous anecdotes, his honesty, the people he meets like Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor and a drunken Tennessee Williams and, of course, his behind-the-scenes look at the making of theatre." - Elissa Barnard, Chronicle Herald

"Wonderful book, and a wonderful life to make a book out of!" - Peggy Feltmate

"By the end I felt almost giddy from the swirl of events . . It is an amazing story." - Jonathan Harlow

"THE BEST FOOLING is spellbinding, a superbly told story of life, love, and work, and with it the world of theatre in Canada has truly opened up for me." - Beert Verstraete

"Anyone with an interest in the history of modern Canadian theatre will be eager to read this well polished new memoir." - Wendy Elliot, Advertiser, commenting on The Best Fooling

​"It takes me somewhere else; it does for me, and even more so, than what Gielgud and Guinness did for me when they drew me into their personal worlds; the work is transporting and I float on it as on a cloud." - Walter Borden, actor, commenting on The Best Fooling

His open, straightforward, and vulnerable style is a wonder to read." - Mike Butler, The Grapevine

"A tour de force...it gets more and more enthralling from chapter by unputdownable chapter...this is a classic of theatrical memoir, indeed of any memoir. A marvellous book." - Maureen O'Brien, actor and novelist, commenting on The Best Fooling

"Stated simply, I loved the book! There was not a chapter in which I was less than fully absorbed. . . One of the best reads I have had in recent years." - David MacKinnon commenting on As Far As I Remember​In the Chronicle Herald, Jodi DeLong wrote about As Far As I Remember:"This memoir drew me in completely, because it is a fascinating snapshot of a time and place that was unique: rural postwar England, public (boarding) schools, family vacations to the seashore, the challenge of making a living — and at the same time universal in the challenges faced in raising a family and coming of age.

Bawtree is sharply introspective and even critical of himself throughout the book, as he looks back from his position in life today and compares it with his youth, his education, his brief but honourable military service, his introduction to theatre, a passion that became his vocation.

At times hilarious, at times wistful and even elegiac, but always perfectly written, As Far as I Remember is a finely drawn portrait of the theatre director and professor as a young man."

About Us

Like No Other Press was first established in 2013 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in order to publish a small collection of poems titled "Remembering Colin." They were written in memory of the great voice and speech teacher Colin Bernhardt, who used to encourage his students with the injunction: "Be like no other!"

In 2015, Michael Bawtree suggested that Like No Other Press take on the Canadian publication of his first volume of memoirs, "As Far As I Remember." His second volume, "The Best Fooling", was added to the list August 26, 2017.

Like No Other Press has now taken on the promotion and sale of other productions of Michael Bawtree and Colin Bernhardt, in order to make them more accessible. They include Colin's "So To Speak" (published by Ekstasis Editions 2001), as well as two 2-CD sets of Michael's readings.​

Your own autographed and dedicated copy

All books and discs will be signed personally by Michael Bawtree, and will be dedicated either to you or to someone of your choice, with a brief message if you wish. Please specify this in the message space provided below the button you use to place a book, CD set or DVD in your cart. This service is available through Like No Other Press exclusively and only while stocks last!